Unit 3: PLANT LIFE IN THE TAKLAMAKAN DESERT

Unit 3: PLANT LIFE IN THE TAKLAMAKAN DESERT (20 Cards)
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1	Accumulate	/əˈkjuːmjəleɪt/ (v.) To gradually increase over time Tamarisk has a high tolerance for salty conditions and even produces its own salt, which it accumulates in special glands.
2	Adapt	/əˈdæpt/ (v.) To change to fit a situation or environment One way that plants adapt to the dry desert is by developing deep root systems.
3	Determine	/dɪˈtɜːmɪn $ -ɜːr-/ To decide Tamarisk can naturally determine when to close stomata to inhibit evaporation
4	Dilute	/daɪˈluːt $ dɪˈluːt, daɪ-/ To make weaker by mixing with water It dilutes the normally toxic salt by increasing the number and volume of its cells.
5	Diverse	/daɪˈvɜːs $ dəˈvɜːrs, daɪ-/ Varied, of many kinds The diverse ways that plants adapt to desert conditions makes a fascinating study.
6	Evaporation	/ɪˈvæpəreɪt/ (n.) The change from liquid to gas, Loss of water to the air P. euphratica controls evaporation by opening and closing the stomata, or tiny pores.
7	Extreme	/ɪkˈstriːm/ (Adj.) Very severe or difficult Many plants cannot endure the extreme heat of the desert.
8	Fringe	/frɪndʒ/ (n.) The edge of something Transitional areas between the open desert and oases on the desert fringe support diverse plant forms.
9	Mechanism	/ˈmekənɪzəm/ (n.) Behavior to deal with difficult situations Although they share many survival strategies, each has developed unique coping mechanisms of its own.
10	Minimize (minimise)	/ˈmɪnəmaɪz/ (v.) To reduce to the least possible amount The plants' principal defense against these environmental stressors while minimizing moisture loss.
11	Moisture	/ˈmɔɪstʃə $ -ər/ (n.) Wetness or water The plants' principal defense against these environmental stressors while minimizing moisture loss.
12	Occupy	/ˈɒkjəpaɪ $ ˈɑːk-/ (v.) To be in a place; Exist in The Taklimakan Desert, second in size only to Africa's Sahara Desert, occupies some 337,600 square kilometers of northwestern China
13	Prolific	/prəˈlɪfɪk/ (Adj.) Producing a lot of something Three Taklimakan plants represent some of the most diverse, prolific vegetation in the area.
14	Resilient	/rɪˈzɪliənt/ (Adj.) Tough, able to endure difficult situation Desert plants are resilient to heat and dryness.
15	Sparse	/spɑːs $ spɑːrs/ (Adj.) Small in numbers or amount Sparse rainfall, daily temperature swings of up to 20°C, and violent sandstorms make it one of the most
16	Stressor	/stresə $ -ər/ Something that causes great difficulties The main stressor in a desert is lack of rain.
17	Swing	/swɪŋ/ (n.) A sudden or big change Sparse rainfall, daily temperature swings of up to 20°C, and violent sandstorms make it one of the most extreme environments on Earth
18	Thrive	/θraɪv/ (v.) To grow well Transitional areas support diverse plant forms that not only have adapted to the harsh conditions but actually thrive there.
19	Transitional	/trænˈzɪʃənəl, -ˈsɪ-/ (Adj.) Relating to change from one type to another Transitional areas between the open desert and oases on the desert fringe support diverse plant forms.
20	Violent	/ˈvaɪələnt/ (Adj.) Strong; sudden and destructive Violent winds tear up many plants or cover them with sand.